Balotelli commissions statue

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has commissioned a life-size statue of himself to stand in his Brescia home.

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has commissioned a life-size statue of himself to stand in his Brescia home.

The Italy international hopes to see his goal celebration from the 2-1 win over Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 immortalised in bronze.

The statue is, of course, the latest in a long line of curious purchases by the maverick striker.

The 22-year-old is known to own a camouflaged Bentley and, upon his arrival in England, famously returned from a shopping trip with a giant trampoline and two Vespa scooters instead of the household items his mother requested he purchase.

Livio Scarpella, the artist who is set to work on the piece, told Il Giornale di Brescia: “I received the commission, but have never actually met Balotelli, so I am working from photographs.

“I presented various sketches, but Mario wanted to be immortalised in the pose after a goal: muscles in evidence and an expression to challenge the opponents.

“I imagined him as an athlete from ancient times. The statue will be between the classic and pop style, in platinum and coloured bronze with the eyes made of precious stones.”